MSDS Methane gases ..INCOMPATIBLE with oxygen

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Methane is an odorless, colorless gas, or a colorless, odorless liquid in itscryogenic form. Both the liquid and the gas pose a serious fire hazard when accidentally released. The liquid will rapidlyboil to the gas at standard temperatures and pressures. As a gas, it will act as a simple asphyxiant and present asignificant health hazard by displacing the oxygen in the atmosphere. The gas is lighter than air and may spread longdistances. Distant ignition and flashback are possible. The liquefied gas can cause frostbite to any contaminated tissue.Rapid evaporation of the liquid from the cylinder may cause frostbite. Flame or high temperature impinging on alocalized area of the cylinder of Methane can cause the cylinder to rupture without activating the cylinder’s relief devices.Provide adequate fire protection during emergency response situations. Allow the released gas to dissipate in theatmosphere.

Methane reacts with steam at high temperatures to yield carbon monoxide and hydrogen

symptoms which include headaches, ringing in ears,

XXXXXXXXXXXX...Simple Asphyxiant...XXXXXXXXXXX

No adverse effect is anticipated to occur to plant-life, except for frost produced in the presence of rapidlyexpanding gases.

MSDS Methane gases [link to avogadro.chem.iastate.edu] Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons. Its chemical formula is CH4. It is lighter than air, having a specific gravity of 0.554. It is only slightly soluble inwater. It burns readily in air, forming carbon dioxide and water vapour; the flame is pale, slightly luminous, and very hot. The boiling point of methane is -162.0° C (-259.6° F) and the melting point is -182.5° C (-296.5° F). Methane in general is very stable, but mixtures of methane and air, with the methane content between 5 and 14 percent by volume, are explosive. Explosions of such mixtures have been frequent in coal mines and collieries and have been the cause of many mine disasters.

Methane is an important source of hydrogen and some organic chemicals. Methane reacts with steam at high temperatures to yield carbon monoxide and hydrogen; the latter is used in the manufacture of ammonia for fertilizers and explosives. Other valuable chemicals derived from methane include methanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and nitromethane. The incomplete combustion of methane yields carbon black, which is widely used as a reinforcing agent in rubber used for automobile tires. [link to www.c-f-c.com] INHALATION: High concentrations of this gas can cause an oxygendeficientenvironment. Individuals breathing such an atmosphere mayexperience symptoms which include headaches, ringing in ears,dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, anddepression of all the senses. Under some circumstances ofoverexposure, death may occur. Isobutylene also has some degree ofanesthetic action and can be mildly irritating to the mucousmembranes. The effects associated with various levels of oxygen areas follows:CONCENTRATION SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE12-16% Oxygen: Breathing and pulse rate increased,muscular coordination slightly disturbed.10-14% Oxygen: Emotional upset, abnormal fatigue,disturbed respiration.6-10% Oxygen: Nausea and vomiting, collapse or loss ofconsciousness.Below 6%: Convulsive movements, possible respiratorycollapse, and death.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Maintain oxygen levels above 19.5% in the workplace. Use supplied air respiratoryprotection if oxygen levels are below 19.5% or during emergency response to a release of Methane. If respiratoryprotection is required, follow the requirements of the Federal OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) orequivalent State standards.

9. PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIESVAPOR DENSITY: 0.6784 kg/m3 (0.042 35 lb/ft3) SPECIFIC VOLUME: 23.7SPECIFIC GRAVITY (air = 1): 0.555 FREEZING POINT: -182.2°C (-296°F)SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Very slight. BOILING POINT @ 1 atm: -161°C (-258.7°F)EXPANSION RATIO: 626 (cryogenic liquid) EVAPORATION RATE (n-BuAc): Not applicable.ODOR THRESHOLD: Not applicable. Odorless. VAPOR PRESSURE (psia): Not applicable.COEFFICIENT WATER/OIL DISTRIBUTION: Not applicable. pH: Not applicable.APPEARANCE AND COLOR: Colorless, odorless gas, or colorless, odorless, cryogenic liquid.HOW TO DETECT THIS SUBSTANCE (warning properties): There are no distinct warning properties. In terms of leakdetection, fittings and joints can be painted with a soap solution to detect leaks, which will be indicated by a bubbleformation.NOTE: This gas is lighter than air and must not be allowed to accumulate in elevated locations.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION (Continued)REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY INFORMATION: Listed below is information concerning the effects of Methane on the humanreproductive system.Mutagenicity: No mutagenicity effects have been described for Methane.Embryotoxicity: No embryotoxic effects have been described for Methane.Teratogenicity: No teratogenicity effects have been described for Methane.Reproductive Toxicity: No reproductive toxicity effects have been described for Methane.

anne October 10, 2012 at 3:54 pm Log in to Reply Part of the commentary below

Cracks and fissures are opening up on the sea floor over an area of several miles. A number of "pock marks" have appeared on the sea floor as far as 20 miles away from the original Macondo blow out. Oil and methane gas is escaping from areas that have never even been drilled.

"Frighteningly, these fissures appear to be growing and connecting with each other. The methane pock marks are growing in size. Even worse, the weakened sea floor is being heaved up into a massive, fracturing, mound. A geological time bomb, previously locked away under miles of rock, has been disturbed. Evidence is pointing to the very grim possibility that a methane gas bubble, 15 to 20 miles in diameter, could indeed rupture the sea floor and escape with unimaginable violence.

"John Kessler of Texas A & M University, said "This is the most vigorous methane eruption in modern history". The oil contains 40% methane – much higher than the usual 5%. The USGS claims that 2,900 cubic feet of gas is accompanying each barrel of oil from the well – also much higher than usual…." [link to www.youtube.com] ,,October 10, 2012 at 4:39 pm Log in to Reply Here is a video as to the 100,000 psi under the gulf and talking about cracks on top of the gulf floor horendous gas explosion mt saint helens underwater that would blast out of the Gulf and Tidal waves 600 MPH across the Gulf